Ask a Country Vet: Livestock Advice

Our resident country vet, Dr. Robert Sharp, answers the most pressing questions about your horses, cows, goats, and more. Plus, get our best pet advice!Have a question for Dr. Sharp? Drop him a line at countryliving@hearst.com.

Everything YouÂ’ve Wanted to Know About Your Livestock

Everything YouÂ’ve Wanted to Know About Your Livestock

Q: I just acquired a 2-year-old Holstein from my neighbor. Is it safe to miss a milking session every now and then?

A: I really wouldn't recommend it. Professional dairy farmers milk their cows at least a couple of times a day — come rain, shine, or holidays. Even as a dairy hobbyist, you should commit to two sessions daily, 12 hours apart. If you absolutely can't be home at the appointed hour, skipping a single milking won't seriously harm your cow but will make her uncomfortable. Should this happen often enough, she may suffer from mastitis (infection of the udder), or blood could show up in the next milking. Production is also likely to diminish, and your newly adopted pet could eventually dry up entirely. So, yes, sticking to a regular schedule is crucial. Keep in mind that for a dairy cow to continue yielding milk, she'll need to be bred every 10 months or so. Each time she gives birth, a cow is said to "freshen," producing roughly six to 10 gallons every 24 hours, more than enough nourishment for a 100-pound newborn. Once the mother and calf have gone their separate ways, it's your responsibility to remove the moo juice — a duty you should never take lightly.

Q: Recently, my rabbit was treated for snuffles. He seems back to normal, but our vet says he's not cured. Is it possible to kick this infection?

A: Not always. Widespread in the rabbit world, snuffles is a highly contagious upper-respiratory infection brought on by bacteria (typically Pasteurella multocida). Infected bunnies have runny noses and watery eyes, and might also sneeze and cough. A healthy rabbit's immune system is usually capable of fighting a mild case of snuffles, but more potent strains prove difficult to combat.

Antibiotics can successfully treat the infection, but sometimes the bacteria may linger, dormant, leading illness to recur months or even years later. Meanwhile, your bunny could still be contagious. (I wouldn't recommend isolating him forever, but if you have other rabbits, do separate any that show obvious signs of snuffles, and wash your hands after handling each rabbit.)

Moving forward, keep an eye out for indications of a relapse, so you can nip the problem in the bud before it becomes serious: Snuffles can lead to pneumonia, an often fatal complication. Early treatment is key to ensuring that your floppy-eared pal lives a long, happy life.